Cardiac Surgery Program

Mitral Valve Replacement

Some cases of mitral regurgitation require replacement with a tissue or mechanical valve. The type of valve replacement chosen depends largely on the severity of the condition and the overall health of the patient.

Mitral valve replacement may be recommended if the patient’s valve is ballooning extensively, if there is severe calcification of the valve, if there is prolapse (bulging) in an unusual location, or if the valve has been damaged by endocarditis.

When deciding whether to repair or replace a mitral valve, your surgeon will consider many factors including overall health, other health conditions that may be present, the condition of the valve, and the likely benefits of surgery.

All types of complex mitral repairs are possible through this approach, as well as common adjunctive procedures, such as the modified MAZE procedure for atrial fibrillation, ASD or PFO repair, or tricuspid valve procedures.